More than one in four patients returning with complications needed emergency surgery and one in three had repair operations done on the NHS.

The booming business in cheap holiday surgery packages threatens patient safety and is a burden on the NHS, claims the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS).

Burden: The NHS is footing the bill for botched cosmetic surgery performed abroad

The Association carried out research showing almost a quarter of its members last year had to treat patients on the NHS for complications caused by cosmetic surgery abroad.

Altogether 208 patients were treated, including 26 per cent who needed plastic surgery.

A further third of patients opted for surgery to repair the damage and 41 per cent needed non-surgical treatment including antibiotics.

Breast 'jobs' were the biggest single source of complications, accounting for 29 per cent of patients, followed by tummy tucks.

One in six suffered problems after breast reductions and 10 per cent landed in trouble after a face or neck lift.

Figures suggest at least 70,000 Britons are having operations abroad, ranging from face jobs to hip replacements, often combining 'sun and surgery' for thousands less than the price of private surgery at home.

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Previous research by other professional and consumer bodies also found a growing numbers of patients suffering long-term health problems, but this is the first survey by BAPRAS, which represents top surgeons doing reconstructive work in the UK.

Consultant plastic surgeon Anthony Armstrong, who is chairman of BAPRAS's clinical effectiveness committee, said patients may think they are saving money by going abroad but there could be a lifelong cost to their health.

He said: 'Our members have seen patients with quite devastating damage, including life-threatening complications, blood and other infections.

'I treated a woman who had a tummy tuck in Poland and came back with an infection which literally melted the skin on her abdomen.

'She's had several operations to reconstruct her abdomen, not to improve the look of it but make it possible for her to lead a normal life.

'We are seriously concerned about the effect of cosmetic tourism on patients and on the NHS, which is acting as a safety blanket for patients needing aftercare.

'However, this can affect waiting times for patients needing plastic surgery procedures in cancer, trauma and elective surgery.'

Research by BAPRAS shows there is no clear NHS policy on treatment of patients for acute surgical complications or elective revisions of their procedures carried out abroad.

Even those patients who fly back to the hospital where they were treated are running a risk, says Mr Armstrong.

They have an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism as a result.

In contrast, patients having private cosmetic operations in the UK can expect the private surgeon to treat complications.

Mr Armstrong said the relative cheapness of surgery abroad was due to the lack of regulation and medical indeminity for staff doing the work, compared with the UK.

He said 'Anyone considering cosmetic surgery abroad must make sure they are fully aware of the potential complications that can occur and consider how these will be dealt with.

'They should not assume that the NHS will pick up the pieces and, they may find themselves having to pay privately for follow-up surgery here.'

BAPRAS has written to the Health Secretary asking for clear guidance on the responsibility of the NHS in cases where patients have been injured or suffered complications after seeking cosmetic surgery abroad.

'There is a burden on the NHS, and doctors, acute trusts and primary care trusts have no clear guidelines on what should happen to these patients' added Mr Armstrong.